Ivey Extends Face Mask Order Through Oct. 2
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has extended her public health order, including a statewide requirement for most residents to wear face masks in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, through October 2. The order was scheduled to expire Monday.
“We all want to get back to normal and the way to do that means wearing a mask,” Ivey said.
The mask mandate went into effect in mid-July and has been extended once. The number of new coronavirus cases in Alabama and hospitalizations have been on a downward track in recent weeks with public health officials saying the mask order likely contributed to that drop. They’re still concerned progress may be reversed as many schools have reopened with at least some in-person instruction and college students returned to campuses sparking a rise in COVID-19 cases. There’s also concern about the upcoming Labor Day holiday as some people may socialize in close quarters, potentially spreading the virus. Cases spiked in Alabama following the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays.
“Labor Day has the opportunity to cause a lot of spread if people aren’t careful,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said. “We want people to pay attention and do the right thing.”
The mask order requires most adults and children second grade and above who are within six feet of others outside their households to wear masks. The measure applies to universities and schools. The public health order maintains restrictions on retailers to 50% capacity. Restaurants and bars can open with limited seating.
Attitudes among Alabama lawmakers softening on Medicaid expansion
Alabama is one of ten states which has not expanded Medicaid. Republican leaders have pushed back against the idea for years.
Birmingham is 3rd worst in the Southeast for ozone pollution, new report says
The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report shows some metro areas in the Gulf States continue to have poor air quality.
Why haven’t Kansas and Alabama — among other holdouts — expanded access to Medicaid?
Only 10 states have not joined the federal program that expands Medicaid to people who are still in the "coverage gap" for health care
Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing
Thousands of ordinary people who helped clean up after the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico say they got sick. A court settlement was supposed to help compensate them, but it hasn’t turned out as expected.
Q&A: How harm reduction can help mitigate the opioid crisis
Maia Szalavitz discusses harm reduction's effectiveness against drug addiction, how punitive policies can hurt people who need pain medication and more.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring a Community Engagement Producer
The Gulf States Newsroom is seeking a curious, creative and collaborative professional to work with our regional team to build up engaged journalism efforts.
